2019 Jersey City shooting

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2019 Jersey City shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States
JCKosherMrkt.MLKDr.Greenville.JC.jpg
Khal Adas Greenville and JC Kosher Supermarket
(August 2019)
JC Kosher Supermarket is located in Hudson County, New Jersey
JC Kosher Supermarket
JC Kosher Supermarket
LocationJC Kosher Supermarket
223 Martin Luther King Dr.
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Coordinates40°42′26″N 74°05′01″W / 40.70715°N 74.08367°W / 40.70715; -74.08367Coordinates: 40°42′26″N 74°05′01″W / 40.70715°N 74.08367°W / 40.70715; -74.08367
DateDecember 10, 2019
c. 12:20 – 3:45 p.m.[1] (EST; UTC−05:00)
Attack type
Shooting, siege, hate crime
Weapons
Deaths6 (including both assailants)
Injured3
AssailantsDavid Anderson
Francine Graham
MotiveAntisemitism[3]
Anti-law enforcement sentiment[4]
Domestic terrorism
Part of a series on
Antisemitism
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Definitions
Manifestations
Antisemitic canards
Antisemitic publications
Antisemitism on the Internet
Prominent figures
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On December 10, 2019, a shooting took place at a kosher grocery store located in the Greenville section of Jersey City, New Jersey. Five people were killed at the store, including the two assailants. Additionally, the assailants wounded one customer and two police officers. A Jersey City Police Department detective was shot and killed by the assailants at a nearby cemetery just before the grocery store attack.[5][6][7] New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal stated that evidence indicated the attacks were acts of hate and domestic terrorism fueled both by anti-Semitism and anti-law enforcement beliefs.

Shootings[]

On December 10, 2019, a police detective, who was meeting a confidential informant,[8] came across the assailants at the Bayview Cemetery in Jersey City, New Jersey[9][10] in what was described as a chance encounter.[11] It is believed that he approached the suspects, who were in a stolen U-Haul van that was linked to the murder three days before[12] of 34-year-old Jersey City resident Michael Rumberger[12] in nearby Bayonne, New Jersey.[13] The assailants shot and killed the officer.[9][14][13] His body was discovered by a bystander and reported at 12:38 p.m.[1][15]

The suspects then fled in the stolen van and drove about one mile to a kosher grocery store, the JC Kosher Supermarket in the Greenville section of Jersey City, and opened fire upon exiting the vehicle.[16][9][17] At approximately 12:21 p.m., while wearing tactical gear, they entered the store and fatally shot the owner, a worker, and a customer.[11][18] Two other customers were able to escape. In the ensuing shootout, the assailants exchanged gunfire with the police for over an hour until they were shot and killed.[19] A BearCat armored personnel carrier rammed through the storefront, ending the siege.[7]

The van was later found to contain a live pipe bomb that had the capacity to kill or injure people up to 500 yards away.[11][13]

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene: the Jersey City Police Department, the Jersey City Fire Department Rescue Task Force, the Hudson County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, the New York City Police Department and departments from other neighboring municipalities, and sheriffs from three counties.[20][21]

Victims[]

The assailants killed 39-year-old Detective Joseph Seals, who had been a police officer since 2006, 33-year-old female store owner Mindy Ferencz, 49-year-old male employee Douglas Miguel Rodriguez, and 24-year-old male rabbinical student customer Moshe Deutsch.[6][22][23][24][25][26]

Two officers, one male and one female, were wounded in the shootout and were released from the hospital the same day.[27] A wounded man escaped out the back door of the store. He was treated at Jersey City Medical Center, and released the same day.[6]

Assailants[]

On December 11, the shooters, both of whom were killed by police during the siege, were identified as David Nathaniel Anderson (age 47) and his girlfriend Francine Graham (age 50).[28] Both were African-American.[29]

Anderson and Graham were suspects in the murder of Uber driver Michael Rumberger in Bayonne the weekend prior to the attack.[30][31] Rumberger's blood was found on a Bible that belonged to the assailants, and his DNA was on their clothes and one weapon. Anderson and Graham had Googled the meaning of the surname "Rumberger".[11]

Anderson and Graham were also suspects in an incident a week before the Jersey City shooting, when on December 3 two shots were fired at a vehicle which was being driven by a person who was clearly identifiable as being Jewish, on U.S. Route 1/9 near Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. The vehicle's rear window was shot out. Graham's phone was in the area at the time of the shooting, and it was later determined the ballistics matched a gun linked to the two assailants.[11]

Anderson had made posts on social media that were anti-police and anti-Semitic. His language was linked to that used by the Black Hebrew Israelite movement, which has no connection to mainstream Judaism, the extremist fringe of which includes numerous hate groups listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center.[13] Anderson and Graham bought a number of weapons, and trained to use them in Ohio. Before they engaged in the attack, they researched another possible attack on a Jewish community center in Bayonne.[11]

Motive[]

Mayor of Jersey City Steven Fulop, referring to the market, tweeted that the shooters "targeted the location they attacked".[32] He later referred to the attack as a hate crime.[31][3] Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio called the attack a "premeditated violent antisemitic hate crime" and an "act of terror".[33] New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal stated that evidence indicated acts of hate and domestic terrorism fuelled both by anti-Semitism and anti-law enforcement beliefs.[34]

Media reported that a handwritten note, which authorities call "manifesto-style", found inside the van said "I do this because my creator makes me do this and I hate who he hates."[35][36]

Aftermath[]

The Jersey City Medical Center, twelve Jersey City Public Schools in the vicinity, as well as that of Sacred Heart Church, located across the street, were on lockdown during the incident.[37][38] That school was taken over by law-enforcement agencies and used during the incident.[39] Between 50-60 children were held in the yeshiva of Khal Adas Greenville next to the market.[27][40] Public transportation on NJ Transit buses and the Hudson Bergen Light Rail in the area were suspended. The New Jersey Turnpike Newark Bay Extension was temporarily closed.[41][10]

President Donald Trump was briefed about the incident at the White House. He gave his condolences to the victims and their families via a tweet.[42] Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy expressed his condolences, his thoughts and prayers for police, residents, and school children, and praise for the slain detective in a series of tweets.[43][44] Cory Booker, junior United States Senator from New Jersey, and Mayor Fulop also expressed their condolences.[citation needed]

Mayor Fulop said a trustee of the Jersey City Board of Education, Joan Terrell-Paige, should resign due to a Facebook message she posted after the shooting, in which she said black residents were "threatened, intimidated and harassed" by "brutes of the jewish community" (sic).[45][29] She made reference to accusations of rabbis selling body parts.[46][47] Terrell-Paige, who is African American,[48] further asked whether the public is "brave enough" to listen to the perpetrators' message.[49][46] Governor Murphy concurred in asking Terrell-Paige to resign; she said she is unrepentant.[50][51] The Anti-Defamation League asked Terrell-Paige to resign citing her "lack of remorse".[52]

Fulop said that analysis of the assailants' computers showed that they likely intended to do more harm, that the yeshiva was the probable target of the attack, and that they "moved more quickly" with their plans because of their encounter with Detective Seals.[53]

In January 2020 Jared Maples, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, said it was investigating possible funding sources for the attack, but with many lone wolf attacks they "do not need large amounts of funding to conduct their operations, making it difficult to detect and prevent attacks. The most common tactics in domestic extremist attacks include easily obtainable weapons, such as knives, small arms, and vehicles."[54]

The market was re-opened by its owner at a nearby location in March 2020.[55]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Jersey City Shooting Timeline: What We Know So Far". NBC New York. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Sundstrom, Mark (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City shooting: 5 guns recovered; hate of Jewish people, police fueled attack, officials say". PIX11. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Kaplan, Talia (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City mayor: Kosher market attack was a hate crime, anti-Semitism must be called out". Fox News. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  4. ^ Panico, Rebecca (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City shooters had 'tremendous amount of firepower.' Attack investigated as domestic terror, AG says". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019. 'We believe the suspects held views that reflected hatred of Jewish people as well as law enforcement,' Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said at a press conference. 'The evidence points toward acts of hate. We're investigating this as a potential act of terrorism fueled by anti-Semitic and anti-law enforcement beliefs.'
  5. ^ Knoll, Corina (December 15, 2019). "How 2 Drifters Brought Anti-Semitic Terror to Jersey City". The New York Times. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c De Avila, Joseph; Blint-Welsh, Tyler (December 11, 2019). "New Jersey Shooters Targeted Kosher Grocery Store, Jersey City Mayor Says". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Sherman, Ted; Sullivan, S.P. (December 15, 2019). "Inside the Jersey City carnage. A day of hate, death and heroism". NJ.com. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  8. ^ Murphy, Mary (December 13, 2019). "Jersey City cop was meeting confidential informant before fatal shooting Tuesday: source". WPIX. New York City.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c Dienst, Jonathan; Thompson, Brian; Kuperstein, Adam; Villeda, Ray; Millman, Jennifer (December 10, 2019). "Officer, 5 Others Dead in 'Ambush' NJ Active Shooter Situation". NBC New York. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "Jersey City Shootout: Police Officer Among 6 Dead; Suspects Found Dead In Kosher Grocery Store With 3 Civilians". CBS New York. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Atmonavage, Joe; Nelson, Blake (January 13, 2020). "Jersey City shooters had massive bomb that could have killed people 500 yards away, feds say". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Napoliello, Alex; Atmonavage, Joe (December 13, 2019). "A chance encounter with Jersey City shooters left a hardworking cab driver dead, friends say". NJ Advance Media (NJ.com). Advance Local Media LLC. Archived from the original on December 13, 2019. Nunez said the two passengers were David Anderson, 47, and Francine Graham, 50. Authorities have identified Anderson and Graham as suspects in Rumberger’s death. Three days later, the pair killed a decorated Jersey City detective in a cemetery and then three others in a kosher supermarket Tuesday in Jersey City in what is being described as an act of domestic terror aimed at Jews and law enforcement, according to authorities.

    Authorities have not released details on what happened to Rumberger, and have not confirmed Nunez’s account. Nunez said detectives have surveillance videos from each location.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Gold, Michael; Watkins, Ali (December 11, 2019). "Suspect in Jersey City Linked to Black Hebrew Israelite Group". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
  14. ^ Cohen, Noah (December 11, 2019). "Jersey City shooters were suspects in murder of car service driver in Bayonne, AG says". NJ.com.
  15. ^ Hanna, Jason (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City shooters had hatred of Jews and law enforcement, state attorney general says". CNN. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Hutchinson, Bill; Bankert, Adrienne (December 12, 2019). "New Jersey Jewish deli shooting's lone survivor describes harrowing escape". ABC News.
  17. ^ McNamara, Audrey; Albert, Victoria (December 10, 2019). "Live updates: 4 killed in Jersey City shooting". CBS News. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  18. ^ Dwyer, Colin (December 11, 2019). "Jersey City Shooting Was 'A Targeted Attack On The Jewish Kosher Deli'". NPR. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "Shooting at Jersey City Kosher Grocery Store Leaves Six Dead". www.chabad.org. Chabad. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  20. ^ Jacobo, Julia; Katersky, Aaron (December 11, 2019). "Officer, 3 people dead after massive gun battle breaks out in New Jersey". ABC News. Retrieved December 13, 2014. All law enforcement units "within earshot" responded to the scene, including the FBI; Port Authority; the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) bureau; and all surrounding municipalities
  21. ^ Helfand, Zach (December 11, 2019). "Untangling the Hate at the Heart of the Mass Shooting in Jersey City". The New Yorker. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  22. ^ "Det. Joseph Seals: What we know about officer killed in Jersey City shootout". ABC7 New York. December 11, 2019.
  23. ^ Andone, Dakin; Frehse, Rob; Levenson, Eric (December 11, 2019). "Jersey City shooting victims are an officer who responded and civilians in a kosher deli". CNN.
  24. ^ West, Teri (December 10, 2019). "Detective Joseph Seals identified as officer killed in Jersey City cemetery". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  25. ^ Otterman, Sharon (December 11, 2019). "'I've Cried My Eyes Out': Victims of N.J. Shooting Are Mourned". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  26. ^ Jennings, Rob (December 11, 2019). "A mother, a volunteer, a worker. Jersey City shooting victims remembered for selflessness". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b Gold, Michael; Corasaniti, Nick; Rashbaum, William K. (December 10, 2019). "Jersey City Shooting Live Updates: 6 People Killed, Including Officer". The New York Times. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  28. ^ Hanna, Jason; Holcombe, Madeline (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City shooters fueled by hatred of Jewish people and law enforcement, state attorney general says". CNN. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b Shanahan, Ed (December 17, 2019). "After Anti-Semitic Killings, Jersey City School Official Called Jews 'Brutes'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  30. ^ "Jersey City shooting suspects also killed man in Bayonne, official says". WNYW. December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Cohen, Noah; Sullivan, S.P. (December 11, 2019). "Jersey City mayor says attack at kosher store was a hate crime against Jewish community". NJ.com.
  32. ^ Cohen, Noah (December 11, 2019). "Jersey City shootings: Kosher market where 3 were killed was targeted by gunmen, mayor says". NJ.com.
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  35. ^ Goldman, Jeff (December 12, 2019). "'I do this because my creator makes me do this,' Jersey City shooter reportedly wrote in note found in van". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  36. ^ Celona, Larry (December 12, 2019). "Jersey City shooter left behind a handwritten note: 'My creator makes me do this'".
  37. ^ Heyboer, Kelly (December 10, 2019). "Thousands of kids on lockdown in schools as gunman opens fire in Jersey City". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  38. ^ Heyboer, Kelly (December 10, 2019). "Jersey City schools lift lockdown, let thousands of kids go home after fatal shooting". NJ Advance Media. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  39. ^ "Police body cam videos show fierce gun battle after fatal shooting at Jersey City kosher market". Associated Press. February 21, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2020 – via NJ.com.
  40. ^ Schneider, Jeremy; Torrejon, Rodrigo (December 13, 2019). "'It's a miracle' children inside Jewish school next door to deadly Jersey City shooting were unharmed, rabbi says". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  41. ^ Higgs, Larry (December 10, 2019). "Jersey City shooting: NJ Transit resumes service, Turnpike exit shut down". NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
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  47. ^ Alexander, Dan (December 18, 2019). "After kosher store massacre, Jersey City school official calls Jews 'brutes'". WKXW. Retrieved December 21, 2019. Terrell-Paige also wrote, without elaborating, that 'we learned 6 rabbis were accused of selling body parts.'
  48. ^ Friedman, Matt (December 17, 2019). "Jersey City school board member calls Jews 'brutes' in wake of anti-Semitic attack". Politico.
  49. ^ Pink, Aiden (December 17, 2019). "Jersey City Official: People Should Listen To Shooters' Message". The Forward.
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  55. ^ West, Teri (March 13, 2020). "Jersey City kosher market reopens at new location three months after horrific shooting". The Jersey Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2020.

Further reading[]

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